Knockdown shipping box or crate.



No. 843,815. PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

J. -E..H-ITGH.

KNOGKDOWNSHIPPING BOX OR CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21.- 1906.

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PATENTED FEB. 12, 19.07.

J. E. HITCH. KNOGKDOWN SHIPPING BOX,OB. CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1906.

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UNITED STATFLS earner clerics.

JOHN E. HITCH, OF SNYDERVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DANIEL H. SNYDER, OF SNYDERVILLE, OHIO.

KNOCKDOWN SHIPPING BOX OR CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application filed March 21, 1906. Serial 1 50. 307,236.

To all rub/07m it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OI-IN E. HITCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Snyderville, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Shipping Boxes or Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to'improveinents in knockdown shipping boxes or crates, and consists, essentially, of a continuous inner lining composing the bottom, back, top, and front combined with an outer continuous frame composed of slats and bendable wires, the inner lining being secured to the inner faces of the flame-slats, preferably by an adhesive material, as waterproof glue, the structure having removable heads or ends held in place by interlocking with parts carried by the front and back of the boxes or crates, all as hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in clalns.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like numerals indicate corresponding parts, Figure l is a perspective view of an improved box or crate; Fig. 2, a transverse section of the same; Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional view of one of the heads or ends and the adjacent portions of the back and front; Fig. 4, a detail enlarged perspective view of a portion of the back, showing the Serbs which engage with the ends or heads; Fig. 5', a detail enlarged perspective view of a portion of the inner face of one of the heads or ends; Fig. 6, a plan view or diagram of the inner face of the general body of the box or crate knocked down, and F 7 a side elevation or edge view "of what is shown in Fig. 6.

At 1 is designated the inner lining of my box or crate, composed of a continuous sheet of pasteboard or other similar fabric or of a veneer of wood. As seen in Fig. 6, this sheet is scored along the lines 2 to enable the-same the more readily to be folded in rectangular form, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This sheet is glued or otherwise secured to the inner faces of a series of slats of wood (designated 8) and which compose the outer body or framing of the device. These slats of wood are bored to receive binding-wires 4E. The slats are suitably spaced with respect to the distance between them, a feature which may be varied in different boxes or crates, according to its intended use. In this manner the general body of the box or crate is made up, and it will be seen that while-it is tight and free from cracks and joints through which its contents might work out it is at the same time light and strong.

In the sections which constitute the back and front I secure a pair of guide-strips 5 and 6, one of which, the former, is beveled at 7 to for n a half-dovetail space or way between it and the strip 6. There are two of these ways at each end of the box or crateone along the inner face of the front and the other along the inner face of the back. i In each pair of these ways is fitted the end 8, composed of four pieces rabbete-d at 9 to fit the strips 5. hen the heads are in place, they keep the front and back from bulging or spreading apart, as well when the crate or box is in use and the wires 4 joined at their ends, as shown in 1, as when these wires are disconnected and the top is lifted or thrown back for access to the interior of the box or crate. lVhen the device is to be knocked down, these heads are withdrawn from their ways between the strips 5 and 6. The body of the head is composed of a sheet 10 of pasteboard or other fabric or a veneer of wood, preferably glued to the strips 8. To facilitate the folding of the general frame or body, the strips 6 are beveled at their ends, as shown at 11 in Figs. 1 and 7, as one of these strips is fastened to each section or panel, composing the bottom, back, top, and front.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a neat, strong, and cheap packing box or case capable of being knocked down and shipped in flat form, as suggested in Figs. 6 and 7. In shipping the device in this condition the ends or heads are placed under or over the general body for convenience. As a means of holding the parts in position when the box or crate is in use, the wires 4 are engaged or twisted together at their ends, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I/Vhen the box or crate is to be opened, these wires are either cut or untwisted when the top may be lifted, the wires bending and acting as hinges. The wires pass through the slats 3, and thus require no other means of fastening them to the slats, and also leave the exterior of the device smooth and unobstructed. Then the placing of the wires inward from the outer surface of all the slats permits of just that many more boxes or crates being stacked or grou ed in a given space. I have spoken of the ining 1 being of a continuous scoredpiece, but wish to be understood as not limiting my invention to such a lining when the other features are present.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'

1. A shipping box or crate composed of an inner fabric lining forming sections or panels, an outer framing consisting of slats secured to the lining at intervals, continuous wires each running through each of the several slats, and removable ends or heads detachably fitted within this general body and adapted to be removed when the top is thrown back.

2. A shipping box or crate composed of an inner fabric lining forming sections or panels, an outer framing consisting of slats secured to the lining at intervals, continuous bindingstrips secured to the several slats, and removable ends or heads detachably fitted within this general body and adapted to be removed when the top is thrown back.

8. A shipping box or crate composed of an inner continuous lining of flexible material, an outer framin of slats or wood secured at intervals to said ining, continuous wires running through the several slats, guide-strips on the inner face of the lining at the front and back of the structure, and ends or heads removably interlocked with said guide-strips to hold the arts intact when wires are unfastened at their ends and to permit the box to be knocked down.

4. A shipping box or crate composed of an inner continuous lining of pasteboard scored at intervals, an outer frame consisting of a series of wooden slats secured on the outer surface of the lining, continuous wires running through said slats and adapted at their ends to be interconnected and disconnected, guidestrips secured upon the imler surface of the lining, one of which is beveled, and heads composed of strips and a sheet of pasteboard secured thereto, the heads being formed to fit between and interlock with the guide-strips.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses Witnesses:

E. O. HAGAN, F. W. SOHAEFER.

JOHN E. HITCH. 

